Right now, federal law gives over-the-road buses (the large, long-haul style coaches used for charters and scheduled routes) the right to use toll roads, HOV lanes, and toll bridges on the same terms as public transit vehicles — but the law uses vague language that has caused confusion about whether charter buses qualify. This bill clears that up by replacing the phrase 'serving the public' with 'in scheduled or charter service' and adding a formal definition of 'charter service' in two places in federal highway law. It also extends those same equal-access rights to buses using value pricing pilot programs. Finally, it requires the Federal Highway Administration to post a publicly available, annually updated database listing the rates, terms, and conditions at every covered toll facility, so bus operators and the public can see exactly what applies where.
Transparency & Accountability
- FHWA toll-facility public database — New annual publication requirement for rates, terms, and conditions at all covered toll facilities
Congressional Summary
Bus Parity and Clarity ActThis bill specifies that charter bus service has the same access to tolling rates and roads as public transportation vehicles.Current law applies the same access to tolling rates to public transportation vehicles and over-the-road buses (i.e., buses with an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment) that serve the public.The bill specifies that the same access to rates apply to over-the-road buses in (1) scheduled service (e.g., intercity bus service), and (2) charter service. This applies to charter bus service for tolling for federal-aid highways, bridges, and tunnels; high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and facilities; and the Value Pricing Pilot Program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).Charter service includes transportation providedat the request of a third party for the exclusive use of a bus for a negotiated price (e.g., for a wedding or corporate event); orto the public for events or functions that occur on an irregular basis or for a limited duration, and a premium fare is charged or third party pays for the service (e.g., providing shuttle service for a public event).In addition, the FHWA must annually publish on a publicly available website a unified database containing the rates, terms, and conditions of each toll facility covered under these provisions.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-03-31
- Date Added
- 2026-04-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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